Greg Barker's Sundance doc We Are The Giant (pictured) has secured U.S. and Canadian distribution, through Music Box Films and Films We Like respectively, with releases set for later this year.

Greg Barker’s documentary We Are the Giant has secured U.S. and Canadian distribution, through Music Box Films and Films We Like respectively, with releases set for later this year.

The documentary, from the filmmaker behind Manhunt, was profiled by realscreen ahead of its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival in January. It explores the aftermath of the Arab Spring and profiles individuals in various countries who are still fighting for freedom. The film is produced by Passion Pictures and Motto Pictures.

The deals were negotiated by David Koh and Josh Braun of U.S. sales agent Submarine and Music Box Films MD Ed Arentz and partner William Schopf, as well as Films We Like president Ron Mann.

Music Box Films will release the film theatrically in the U.S. later this year – along with Films We Like – in order to qualify it for the Academy Awards.

The distribution deals follow the recent arrest of one of the film’s main characters, Maryam al-Kawaja (pictured, right) of Bahrain and Denmark.

“I’m proud that this same week [of Maryam's arrest] we can announce our partnership with Music Box, who are as committed as me and our entire production team to bringing these extraordinary, inspiring stories to American audiences, especially now when the worst of humanity is getting so much attention,” said Barker in a statement. “Maryam and others in We Are the Giant remind us of the enduring human spirit, and the reason to persevere and retain hope even in the face of thuggery and chaos.”

The doc’s co-producers John Battsek and Julie Goldman added in a joint statement: “We are extremely excited to be working with a distributor of Music Box’s calibre. They have passionately pursued our film and now is the perfect time to ramp up the visibility of the project.

“All the stories featured in our film mean a great deal to us and crucially, with Maryam al-Kawaja currently languishing in prison, we know Music Box will put all their weight behind bringing her plight to the attention of the public at large,” they said.